PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Michael Murdock (ranked 1192 p4p, 148 weight class) and Hifives Ghost (ranked 1600 p4p, 191 weight class). Murdock comes to the cage accompanied by Streams of Whiskey. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Hifives Ghost was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Murdock
vs
Ghost

175 cm
29
164 lbs
18 - 15 - 0

168 cm
29
155 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Bullet Proof System

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Michael Murdock!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hifives Ghost!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ghost lands a nice looking body shot.
Ghost throws the left hand but Murdock avoids the punch easily.
Ghost avoids the body shot from Murdock.
Ghost bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hifives Ghost seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Murdock throws out a loose jab but Ghost uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ghost now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Murdock takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Murdock has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Urban Achievers in the buildup to the fight.
Horrible takedown attempt by Ghost or perhaps it was just good defense by Murdock, which made it look bad.
Ghost moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ghost delivers a nice body kick.
Ghost throws a body shot but no joy.
Ghost throws a leg kick
and Murdock counters with a body kick.
Murdock misses with a hook to the body
and Ghost counters with a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ghost takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Ghost swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Ghost cracks Murdock with an open hand slap.
Good standup being displayed there by Murdock as he connects with a hook.
Michael Murdock is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Murdock with a hook.
Murdock takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Murdock moves out of range as Ghost throws a body kick.
An attempted straight right counter from Murdock misses the target.
Ghost slips a straight right by Murdock.
Nice shot by Murdock.
Murdock throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ghost has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Ghost shoots in for a double leg but Murdock sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ghost takes one to the side of the head.
Ghost lands a leg kick that knocks Murdock off balance momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Murdock ducks under a wild hook from Ghost.
Murdock misses with a straight right.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Ghost, right into the meat.
Murdock misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ghost.
Murdock has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Ghost.
Murdock's corner calls for a 1-2. Murdock obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Ghost fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Murdock looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Ghost lands a nice leg kick that just misses Murdock's sensitive parts.
Murdock keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Murdock throwing a counter right hand but Ghost manages to avoid it.
Ghost swings for the body but Murdock moves out of range.
A swing and a miss from Murdock.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ghost misses with a leg kick
and Murdock counters with a body kick.
Ghost lands a nice leg kick that just misses Murdock's sensitive parts.
A lazy body kick from Ghost
and Murdock counters with a stiff right hand.
Murdock swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ghost was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Murdock showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ghost.
Murdock was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Ghost misses with a few strikes there.
Murdock ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Ghost jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
A low kick from Ghost misses
and Murdock counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
A low kick from Ghost is predictable there
and Murdock counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ghost throws a hook but Murdock blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Murdock has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Ghost finds it's way round the side to connect with Murdock's head.

Ghost drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Murdock looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ghost is one step ahead there.
Ghost content to stall in guard here.
Murdock seems keen to control Ghost's posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Hifives Ghost will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Murdock paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Jab by Murdock.
Ghost misses with a hook.
Murdock misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ghost.
Ghost dips to his left and cracks Murdock with an uppercut!
Murdock connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ghost drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Ghost tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Murdock feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Ghost misses the shot to the body.
Murdock swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Murdock on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Ghost. Ghost obviously looking to wear him down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ghost misses with the combination.
Ghost lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Murdock avoids the body shot from Ghost.
A low kick from Ghost misses
and Murdock counters with a stiff right hand.
Ghost avoids the body shot from Murdock.
Ghost fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Murdock manages to avoid it.
Murdock was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Murdock is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Ghost throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Murdock throwing a counter right hand but Ghost manages to avoid it.
Ghost wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Ghost scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Ghost thumps Murdock with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ghost takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

Murdock tries to sprawl but Ghost drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ghost is trying to control the action in half guard but Murdock is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Murdock is trying to stand back up but Ghost is controlling him
Murdock regains full guard. Nicely done.
Murdock is looking to stand up but Ghost isn't so interested in that idea.
Murdock pulls Ghost in close to prevent any damage.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ghost trying to control the position from guard on top but Murdock is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Murdock is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Ghost misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Murdock was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Ghost shoots in looking for a takedown. Murdock tries to sprawl out of it but Ghost keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Murdock manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Ghost throws a nice head kick!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ghost has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Murdock.
Murdock is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ghost.
Ghost just misses with a punch to the body.
The fighters circling - Ghost throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Murdock misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Ghost counters with a stiff right hand.
Ghost ducks under a wild hook from Murdock.
Ghost appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Murdock with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Ghost misses with a low kick.
Ghost lands with a nice body punch.
Ghost throws a big shot that misses.
Murdock swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Hifives Ghost will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ghost misses with a lunging right hand
and Murdock counters with a solid body kick.
Ghost avoids a kick to the body.
Ghost misses with a combination
letting Murdock counter with a right hand.
Murdock feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Ghost's calf.
Ghost jabs Murdock right on the nose. Murdock blinks but takes it well.
Ghost throws a sloppy head kick and Murdock moves out of range easily.
Ghost thuds a left hand into Murdock's body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ghost throws a big shot that misses.
Ghost misses with a hook to the body
and Murdock makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Ghost really felt that one!
Ghost uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Murdock.
Ghost slips a straight right by Murdock.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murdock throws out a leg kick but Ghost moves out of range and Murdock only half commits.
Ghost connects with a body shot that sends Murdock's belly button to the back.
Ghost throws a lazy uppercut
and Murdock counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Michael Murdock is winning the standup battle so far.
Ghost misses with a hook. Murdock ducked under it nicely.
Ghost with a lazy takedown attempt
and Murdock counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ghost takes a swing at Murdock's ribcage but misses.
Murdock takes a swing at Ghost's ribcage but misses.
Ghost walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Murdock is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Murdock throws a right hand that misses
and Ghost counters with a right hand to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ghost. Murdock does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ghost throws an off balance right hand
and Murdock counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ghost just misses with a punch to the body.
Ghost throws a wild body kick that Murdock sees coming a mile off.
It looked like Murdock wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Ghost swings widly with a right hand
and Murdock counters with a nice body kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Murdock swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Ghost.
Ghost misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Murdock.
Nice defenses there by Ghost.
Murdock blocks a low kick nicely.
A low kick from Ghost misses
and Murdock counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Murdock misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ghost.
Murdock scores with a jab to the body.
A big right from Murdock misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ghost throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Murdock.
Murdock was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Ghost fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Murdock looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Ghost tries for a takedown but Murdock circles away easily
and Murdock counters with a straight right hand.

Ghost is rocked!
Ghost takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ghost fails with a takedown attempt.
Michael Murdock has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hifives Ghost.
Ghost's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Ghost duly obliges.
A left lands for Murdock.
Ghost misses with a wild combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murdock throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ghost dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ghost throws a head kick that misses
and Murdock counters with a slapping leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ghost. Murdock does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ghost thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ghost tries a head kick but it misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Ghost closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Ghost lands in his opponent's guard.
Ghost stops Murdock from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Murdock clearly takes that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A shot to the body from Ghost misses
and Murdock counters with a nice uppercut.
Ghost throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Murdock stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Murdock throws a big shot that misses.
Ghost throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Murdock counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Murdock throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Ghost throws a right hand that misses
and Murdock counters with a nice uppercut.
Ghost digs a good hook to Murdock's body.
Murdock fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Ghost has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ghost shoots in and drives through. Murdock sprawls well.
Murdock swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Ghost cracks the inside of Murdock's front leg.
Ghost falls off balance throwing a combination
and Murdock counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ghost just misses with a punch to the body.
Ghost shoots in and drives through. Murdock sprawls well.
A shot to the body from Murdock misses
and Ghost counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
A decent looking cross lands there for Ghost.
Ghost throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Murdock counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ghost slips a jab from Murdock.
A low kick from Ghost misses
and Murdock cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ghost is still on wobbly legs! Can Murdock finish him?
Murdock uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ghost.
Ghost seems to have recovered his senses.
A swing and a miss from Ghost.
Murdock was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Murdock lands with an uppercut that bounces Ghost off the cage and back into range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ghost scores with a jab to the head.
Ghost misses with an uppercut. Murdock saw that one coming.
It appears Murdock was looking to counter with a kick there.
Murdock misses with a hook. Ghost ducked under it nicely.
Murdock lands a nice looking kick to the body. Ghost takes a step back to recover.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Murdock throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Murdock misses with a body shot.
Ghost moves out of range of the body kick from Murdock.
Ghost throws a poor cross that misses
and Murdock counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ghost swings for the body but Murdock moves out of range.
Ghost misses with a double jab
enabling Murdock to counter with a crisp jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ghost. Murdock does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ghost rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Murdock counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Murdock pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Ghost fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Ghost takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Ghost looks to score with a jab to the body but Murdock is just out of range.
Nice uppercut there from Ghost.
Ghost misses with a jab to the body

and Murdock counters with a crisp right hand that drops Ghost! Murdock lets Ghost back up to his feet, looking for a finish!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Murdock loads up on a big right hand but Ghost slips the punch.
Ghost throws the kick towards the body but Murdock avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ghost drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Murdock throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Ghost stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Murdock lands a jab to Ghost's midsection.
Murdock avoids a kick to the body.
It appears Murdock was looking to counter with a kick there.
A chopping leg kick lands by Murdock.
Ghost misses with a wild combination.
Murdock connects with a solid leg kick.
Murdock moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ghost fails to land with a series of punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Murdock had his way with Hifives Ghost in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Ghost cracks the inside of Murdock's front leg.
Murdock on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Ghost wants to slow Murdock down by chopping away at his legs.
Ghost misses the shot to the body.
Nice body kick there by Ghost.
Murdock misses with a looping left.
Ghost shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Murdock as he jumps to the side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good work by Murdock as he checks the leg kick.
Murdock uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ghost.
Ghost throws a body kick that misses
and Murdock connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Ghost - just one landing.
Ghost misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Murdock misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ghost.
Ghost just misses with a punch to the body.
Ghost thows a leg kick but Murdock checks it
and Murdock counters with an outside leg kick.
Murdock lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Ghost lands with a good body shot.
Ghost lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Murdock at a distance.
Ghost throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Murdock throws a jab when Ghost was well out of range.
Murdock misses with a body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murdock misses with a wild body shot.
Murdock checks the leg kick.
Murdock pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Ghost scores with a jab. Murdock acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Ghost looks for a takedown but Murdock sprawls well.
Murdock is looking to score with low kicks.
Ghost misses with a looping right.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Murdock waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ghost.
A left lands for Murdock.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick from Ghost misses.
Ghost is looking to slow Murdock down with leg kicks.
Murdock fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Ghost on the side of the head.
Ghost looks for a takedown but Murdock sprawls well.
Michael Murdock has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hifives Ghost.
Murdock with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Ghost tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Murdock was well out of range. Poor timing from Ghost.
Murdock misses with an attempted mid kick.
Ghost gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Murdock counters with a straight right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murdock walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Ghost checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Ghost unleashes a big counter combination but Murdock bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Ghost throws a series of punches but Murdock moves out of range.
A jab from Murdock misses.
Murdock pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Murdock lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Murdock lands with a hook. Ghost tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Nice cross by Ghost.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Murdock uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ghost.
Ghost has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Murdock.
Murdock scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Ghost lands a nice hook to Murdock's body. Murdock takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Murdock avoids a punch combination nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Michael Murdock.
I think Murdock has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 49:47
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 49:46
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Michael Murdock!
Michael Murdock is the new lightweight champion!
A relieved looking Michael Murdock thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.